It's good to see GOP back off repealing Common Core

I was glad to see that the top Republican lawmakers are, at least for now, backing away from efforts to repeal the Common Core State Standards. Gov. Scott Walker has called for them to be repealed and replaced by standards set by people in Wisconsin. No rational reason for this was ever stated.

Common Core Standards were developed in 2009 under the direction of the National Governor's Association. The NGA decided to pool its resources and work together rather than each state developing its own standards.

There was no federal involvement in the development of Common Core Standards. There are federal financial incentives for states to adopt Common Core, but any college and career-ready standards also qualify. Contrary to popular belief, these standards are not a federal takeover of our kids' education. Forty-five states have adopted Common Core, partially or in total.

Wisconsin businesses and all U.S. businesses are competing worldwide with countries that have adopted more rigorous educational standards than the U.S. The idea that we can remain competitive with 50 separate state educational standards is ludicrous.

The saddest part about the debate on Common Core is that it has nothing to do with education. It's just politics.

Judson Bly, town of Green Bay

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